Near Surface Leachable Copper Zones Continue to Expand at Candente's Canariaco Norte Deposit.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- E[acute accent]- Leachable copper from 12 to 300 m vertical in DDH-05-033 expands Southwestern potential starter pit area

E[acute accent]- Near surface leachable copper zone expanded by 350 m to the west in northern end of deposit

E[acute accent]Candente Resource Corp. (TSX:DNT) (Candente) is pleased to announce that the Southwestern potential starter pit area (see News Release dated December 7th 2005) has been expanded by DDH 05-033. This hole intersected leachable Cu (85% chalcocite) from only 12 metres (m) to a depth of 300 m (end of hole). DDH 05-033 was drilled 300 metres north and 150 m west of DDH-05-020, which intersected 346 m of leachable Cu (73% chalcocite). Vertically dipping late mineral dykes were also intersected over 78 m in DDH 05-33. Not including the dyke material, Cu grades average 0.39% in DDH 05-033 and average 0.49% Cu over the entire depth of 346 m in DDH 05-020.

E[acute accent]In addition, 26 m of leachable copper (Cu) grading 0.43% Cu (61% chalcocite) was intersected by DDH 05-034 which was drilled 350 m west of DDH 04-003. DDH 04-003 intersected 22 m of 1.00% Cu which comprises 62% chalcocite. This greatly expands the deposit and the Northern potential (leachable) starter pit area to the west.

E[acute accent]Joanne Freeze, President and CEO comments that, "The size and grade of the leachable zone at Canariaco Norte is proving to be very substantial especially when compared to some of Phelps Dodge's Copper mines such as Lomas Bayas in Chile; Piedras Verdes in Mexico and Dos Pobres in the USA. At these operations, Phelps Dodge is mining ore with grades of 0.28% to 0.37% Cu and producing Cu at costs of $0.47 to $0.52 per pound. With Cu selling at over $2.00 per pound it is no surprise that Phelps Dodge's profits are at all time highs."

E[acute accent]An Engineering Scoping Study is underway to assist in determining the optimum grade and throughput options required for an economic copper heap leach, SX-EW operation at Canariaco. The study is being supervised by Merit Consultants of Vancouver, B.C. who have extensive international experience in such operations.

E[acute accent]All assays have now been received for the 24 holes drilled by Candente in 2005. Of the 36 holes drilled by Candente to date (in 2004 and 2005) at Canariaco Norte only 3 have not intersected significant Cu. One of these holes was a drilled to confirm lack of mineralization in an area where flat topography is suitable for mine infrastructure. The deposit is still open in many directions laterally as well as vertically.

E[acute accent]For more information such as maps, sections, drill data please refer to: http://www.candente.com/s/PeruProjects_Canariaco.asp.

E[acute accent]Sampling and analytical procedures conform to NI 43-101 standards and are detailed in previous Candente news release dated September 7, 2005. All samples were submitted to Actlabs in Lima, Peru. Michael Casselman, P.Geo., Robert Van Egmond, P.Geo., and Joanne Freeze, P.Geo., are the Qualified Persons for the project as defined by NI 43-101 and have reviewed this news release.

E[acute accent]Candente is a diversified copper and gold exploration company focused on increasing shareholder value through discovery. In addition to the Canariaco Project, Candente has several other gold, copper and silver projects in Peru. Candente subscribes to principles which ensure that its exploration and development activities are beneficial to the local communities.

E[acute accent]ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

E[acute accent]Joanne Freeze, P. Geo., President & CEO

E[acute accent]Candente Resource Corp.

E[acute accent]Release No. 150

E[acute accent]This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Candente relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements.

E[acute accent]Candente Resource Corp. (TSX:DNT)